Teams Clash at Tattersalls Park
- Thursday, 16 April 2009 00:00
The Tasmanian Racing Challenge heats up this Sunday at Tattersalls Park with two serious clashes between Derwent and Tamar Team stars.
The under card will see the Bill Ryan trained Vintilla take on the Jason Clifford trained Loaded Owners in a $20,000 Three Year Old Handicap.
Vintilla, a beaten favourite at his most recent start, will be on the second line of betting but this is of no concern to trainer Bill Ryan.
"He has taken a few runs to get his head around this racing caper but he did a lot of work at his most recent outing and only knocked up the last fifty", Ryan said.
"I think he will finish in the money and most certainly has the ability to win it".
"I will take him along easily and i think that he has the potential to race in Victoria", Clifford said ahead of Sunday's feature race.
"This Sunday is his first mission though and I am sure he will find it a much tougher assignment than his first start, but I wouldn't want to be training any other horse in the race", said Clifford confidently.
The main event will be one for the ladies with the Elesha Spillane trained Mijabele coming up against the in-form Gary White trained Helsinki Jones.
Mijabele is the highest rated horse in the fillies and mares event but is not suited by the 1100m trip.
"She is first up and will find it hard against these classy sprinting mares", said Spillane following an impressive workout by Mijabele during the week.
"But on her work and the fact that there looks to be a lot of pace in the race I am confident she will be flashing home late".
"She has been up a long time and is dropping back in distance against good horses", White said, before conceding that he still believed the mare would win.
"She is a tough little mare and her work, attitude and ability all point to her being very hard to beat".
All this should make for an exciting day for members of both teams.
Loaded Owners Inspires Derwent Team
- Monday, 30 March 2009 00:00
The Jason Clifford trained Loaded Owners burst onto the Tasmanian Racing scene yesterday with one of the most impressive debuts in recent memory.
Ridden by premier jockey Brendan McCoull Loaded Owners scored a 5.5 length win in the 1100m Tile Centre Maiden.
The win also opened the account for the Derwent Racing Team of which Loaded Owners is one of the up and coming stars.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of this exciting venture and hope that members enjoyed the victory today", said Clifford, who along with Gary White, trains 15 horses which Derwent Racing Team Members can be a part of for just $99 a year.
"I couldn't have been happier with the way he relaxed when taken on early and then quickened on the home turn to put a space in them", a thrilled Clifford said after the race.
Under soft riding from McCoull, Loaded Owners kicked clear of his rivals upon straightening and was never threatened.
"When he got about 3 lengths in front of them he pricked his ears and switched off”, McCoull said.
“So I shook him up again and he responded well and found the line like a good horse".
Loaded Owners will head towards the 1100m Open Three Year Old on the 19th of April at Tattersalls Park Hobart."He hasn't taken his head out of the feed bin since he got home, but I will swim him this morning and if he pulls up well we will push ahead to the 19th and perhaps another run this prep before he goes for a spell", concluded Clifford who is keen to take his time with the classy three year old gelding.
For more information on joining the Derwent Racing Team visit www.derwentracing.com.auBetfair To Offer TOTE Tasmania Products
- Monday, 07 April 2008 00:00
TOTE Tasmania has entered into an agency agreement with Betfair that will provide it with access to Betfair’s global customer base of more than one million punters.
The arrangement is anticipated to add tens of millions of dollars to The TOTE’s annual turnover.
TOTE Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Craig Coleman said the increased turnover would ultimately benefit the Racing Industry through increased returns from 2009/10.
Mr Coleman said under the agency agreement, Betfair’s customers would be given the opportunity to bet on The TOTE products.
“When you add this to TOTE Tasmania’s own plans for growth, the additional funding will help to secure the future of what is already a strong and vibrant Tasmanian racing.”
Mr Coleman said TOTE Tasmania and Betfair shared the view that the new relationship was a logical step for the national industry to offer wagering services to a new set of international customers.
“It is worth noting that Tasmania is the only jurisdiction in Australia whose licensed wagering companies are allowed to advertise in the UK,” he said.
“Betfair already has more than one million registered customers in the UK which it can market Australian racing to immediately.”
“We’ve always maintained that Betfair’s exchange products complement those of the traditional operators,” said Betfair Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Klok.
“This agreement enables us to leverage our technology and online distribution expertise to better meet the needs of our customers,” he said.
Betfair customers will now have the convenience of being able to bet on a broader range of products from their existing Betfair account.Media Release - TOTE Tasmania
Bombay Off to Adelaide After Winning Tassie Feature
- Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:00
The Victorians led the way in today's $100,000 Shaw Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic (1200m) at Launceston.
Bombay Sling, trained by Clinton McDonald, got home after a terrific two horse war with Lee Freedman's last start stakes winner Rock the Moment.
The win looked the first of many to come for the talented youngster who'd chased home the Blue Diamond Stakes first and second placegetters at his first two starts.
On debut, after showing an abundance of speed, Bombay Sling finished fourth in the Blue Diamond Preview behind Reward for Effort.
Next time out he ran fourth to Real Saga in the Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude. In that race Reward for Effort was third.
And last start the Danzero colt beat all but Rock the Moment when an unlucky second in the listed Gold Sovereign Stakes.
This time around Bombay Sling ($1.80) was able to exact revenge and get home and beat Rock the Moment ($2.40) by three parts of a length.
Third home was the Brendon McCoull mount Capone ($54.50), a further four lengths back.
Bombay Sling is quickly turning out to be a great buy for trainer Clinton McDonald. He went to $180,000 to secure the colt from the draft of Attunga Stud (as agent) at last year's Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.
Already the black type performed youngster has earned his connections $106,625.
With one Magic Millions feature under his belt, Bombay Sling will now be hunting another.
"He's done a great job and I like how he is improving with each start," McDonald said.
"We'll go back and then head to Adelaide for the Magic Millions there now."
McDonald said the Adelaide MM feature would be he last run before a break - but he's confident Bombay Sling will develop into a very talented three-year-old.
Bombay Sling is yet another star galloper by Danzero who is a graduate of a Magic Millions sale.
He follows in the hoofsteps of his stars including Dance Hero, Danglissa, Masked Assassin, Kaphero, Permaiscuous and Pinezero.
Bombay Sling is one of three winners for the dual winning Western Symphony mare Gin Sling.
Gin Sling is a sister to Group winner and Group One runner-up Any Rhythm and three quarter sister to triple stakes winner Gin Rhythm.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Ista Kareem Claims Launceston Cup
- Wednesday, 27 February 2008 00:00
Rejuvenated jockey Danny Brereton sought the local advice of long-time friend and fellow rider Stephen Maskiell to help him win Wednesday's Group Three Launceston Cup (2400m) on topweight Ista Kareem. Brereton and Maskiell were apprentices together at Caulfield in the early 1980s before going separate ways with Maskiell now a leading Tasmanian jockey who partnered St Andrews to two of his three Launceston Cup wins in 2000 and 2002.
After briefing Brereton about the quirks of the Tasman Park track, Maskiell talked Caulfield trainer Colin Little through the race as they watched together from the mounting yard.
"It was quite interesting to watch the race with Stephen as he sort of called the moves, `go forward, go back, slot in here, they will slow up here'," Little said.
Melbourne-based Brereton said he had maintained his friendship with Maskiell and owed the Launceston Cup, his first major race win in Tasmania, to the hoop.
"He gave me some advice and told me to come out and get going at the 500 metres," Brereton said.
"I owe him one."
Ista Kareem's chances were helped when the $3.50 favourite Britomart was scratched at the start after she lashed out and kicked the hinges off the gates on the starting stalls, sustaining a wound to her near hind leg which was later stitched.
"She just kept kicking and kicking," jockey Corey Brown said.
Her withdrawal left just eight runners and Brereton said the race panned out "beautifully" for Ista Kareem who settled closer than usual in fourth place.
"At the 600 metres I had plenty of horse there and thought I was on the best stayer and would get going," he said.
As he made his run Blake Shinn on Nine Wives made his move giving him a horse to follow.
"I was pretty confident because we had such a beautiful run," Brereton said.
Ista Kareem charged to the front soon after straightening and raced away to win the 2400m race by 1-3/4 lengths from Lady Atire who ran on from last, and Our Dashing Dane, who raced wide and finished two lengths away.
"It wasn't the strongest Launceston Cup ever but I'm very happy to win it," Little said.
Last year Little trained the quinella in the Hobart Cup when Blutigeroo beat Rubijon but after returning to Melbourne neither came back for the Launceston Cup.
Ista Kareem has won four of his 12 starts since joining Little's stable last winter following the retirement of former Adelaide trainer Jeremy Gask.
The seven-year-old's Adelaide owners are now keen for Ista Kareem to have another crack at the Adelaide Cup (3200m) on March 10 after he finished third to Exalted Time in 2006.
Ista Kareem has only 54.5kg in the Adelaide Cup but Brereton, a noted heavyweight rider, will easily make the weight after recently shedding five kilos in less than a week with the help of a nutritionist.
Little said he was hoping Ista Kareem would escape a penalty for the win against one of the smallest Cup fields on record.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
The Sunday Wrap
- Sunday, 22 February 2009 00:00
Conquering etched his name in Tasmanian racing folklore after winning the $100,000 Listed George Adams Plate (1600m) this afternoon at Launceston. Beginning quickly from barrier four, Conquering dictated terms to suit himself in front with his main danger Scenic Silver settling in second position two lengths away from the leader.
Conquering led into the straight and kicked away from Scenic Silver with Uzigal and Life To The Full making solid ground when the race was all over.
In the run to the line, Conquering ($1.80 fav) defeated Uzigal ($47) by three and a quarter lengths with Scenic Silver ($2.90) a further nose back in third.
Conquering has now won 19 races from 53 starts, taking his prizemoney to $692,150. His five consecutive wins this preparation have all come at weight-for-age over the Tasmanian Summer Carnival.
***
Marchelle Belle continued the good fortune for the tote elect at Launceston, after winning this afternoon's Listed PFD Tasmanian Oaks (2100m).
Like Conquering, Marchelle Belle ($1.70 fav) with Dwayne Dunn aboard went straight to the front and accelerated quickly on the home turn to defeat Cabazon ($3.50) by half a length with in third Speedy Sky ($23).
Pictured above winning last month at Moonee Valley with Dunn in the saddle, it was a relatively easy win for the Lee Freedman trained galloper who is unbeaten from five starts this preparation.
***
Lyell became the third topweight that led to win the other feature race at Launceston today, the $50,000 Veolia Classic (1200m) for three year olds.
After winning the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) last start, Lyell ($6) managed to handle the drop in distance to stave off the late challenge of Testamarriage ($10) and Go Ali Go ($7).
Lyell has five wins and four placings from 12 starts taking his prizemoney to $137,765.
***
Meanwhile, Kevin Sweeney had a day to remember at Canberra after riding five winners which included all the three feature races on the program.
Sweeney partnered Moorings Mate ($11) to victory in the AAMI Lighting Ridge Handicap announcing himself as the one to beat in the Listed Black Opal Stakes.
The two year old race is worth $250,000 in prizemoney with $162,500 going to the winner.
Freetoair ($5) won the three year old handicap over 1400m and Sweeney is likely to partner the galloper in the $100,000 Canberra Guineas (1400m) in a fortnight's time.
Sweeney then rode Bacchanal Woman ($3.60 fav) to a last gasp victory in the Burley Griffin Quality (1200m).
Bacchanal Woman is now exempt from the ballot for the Listed National Sprint (1400m) and is sure to be a main contender in that feature sprint.
The Black Opal, National Sprint and Canberra Guineas will all be held at Canberra on March 8.
***
Michelle Payne continued her winning ways with a quartet at Yarra Valley this afternoon.
Payne, 23, who was chasing her first Group 1 winner on Rose Darmore yesterday, made amends for her defeat in the Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) by steering the Chris Manson trained Soserio ($3.50 fav) to victory by three and a half lengths
There was no time to dwell on her success with Payne also partnering Serious Coin ($5.50) in Race 3 and Metung Ruby ($4.40) in Race 4.
Payne then capped off a remarkable afternoon by guiding topweight Amelijo ($3.60 fav) first past the post in the final event on the program.
The leading female rider since Friday night at Moonee Valley has won five of her last eleven rides.
All eight races at Yarra Valley today were maiden races which ensured all races were keenly contested and attracted large fields.
Pics: Fiona Tomlin, Quentin Lang & SportpixSuper Confident Races Home in Tassie Magic Millions
- Wednesday, 27 February 2008 00:00
Classy Melbourne filly Super Confident has upstaged the locals by scoring a brilliant win in the $101,000 Shaw Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic (1200m) at Launceston today.
Ridden perfectly by proven big race rider Damien Oliver, Super Confident accelerated quickly over the concluding stages to nab highly regarded youngsters Secdolrue and Testamarriage.
Sent out as one of the leading contenders after a comprehensive win at Colac - when she thrashed the David Hayes trained Touessrock by two and a half lengths - Super Confident made it two wins from just three starts with her MM victory today.
Moody was confident leading into the race, reporting the daughter of Johannesburg had trained on beautifully since her previous start victory.
The filly is expected to return to Melbourne with Moody having plenty of options for the bright young prospect.
She holds an entry for both the $1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on Easter Monday and the upcoming $400,000 Schweppes Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic at Morphettville next month.
Moody purchased the filly for $100,000 from the draft of Turangga Farm during the fifth session of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
She is a full brother to her year older stablemate Confidence Reef - a three time winner who beat subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Sleek Chassis as a two-year-old.
Their dam Irish Flyer is from an unraced Marauding half sister to former crack gallopers Ruffles and Ateates as well as the dam of Group One performer True Glo.
The minor placegetters - Secdolrue and Testamarriage - lost no admirers with first class efforts.
Secdolrue was the most intriguing runner of the race - on the back up after a sensational six and a half length debut win at the track on February 17.
There's little doubt the McShane prepared gelding will develop into one of the state's more promising gallopers of the future.
Third placegetter Testamarriage was the top pick for many after her last start stakes victory in the listed Gold Sovereign Stakes.
Last year's Shaw Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic was captured by another interstate Bass Strait jumper.
On that occasion it was the powerful Lindsay Park stable that triumphed with Dash for Cash filly Extension of Time.
Returning to the mainland she would become a stakes winner and also run second at Group One level.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Tasmania To Enact Race Fields Legislation
- Tuesday, 26 August 2008 00:00
New legislation that will enable Tasmania to charge wagering operators for the right to publish Tasmanian race fields information was tabled in State Parliament in Launceston today.
The Minister for Racing, Michael Aird said that the legislation was in response to both New South Wales and Victoria enacting their own race fields legislation.
“The proposed legislation is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to maximising financial returns to the racing industry in an increasingly competitive national racing market,” Mr Aird said.
“Without the ability to collect publication fees, Tasmania risks being financially disadvantaged in the national market place by not being able to recoup any of the considerable outlay that will automatically flow from interstate jurisdictions charging Tasmania for access to their race fields information.”
Under the new Racing Regulation Amendment (Race Fields) Bill 2008, all wagering operators, regardless of where they are based in Australia, would be charged a publication fee for such information and would also be required to comply with integrity conditions.
Under the new legislation, determination of the publication fee would be based on the gross returns that a wagering operator achieves from the publishing of Tasmanian race fields.
“I believe that the use of this model is the most appropriate and equitable approach,” Mr Aird said.
“The Tasmanian model will be in contrast to the approach adopted by New South Wales which has elected to determine the fee based on a wagering operator’s turnover.
“I do not believe that the New South Wales model is equitable or commercially realistic in the long-term.
“I am also advised that some wagering operators, including Betfair, will be challenging aspects of New South Wales’ administration of the race fields legislation.
“The national landscape with respect to race fields is constantly changing.
“However, I want to make Tasmania’s position very clear.
“Tasmania will be acting to secure the future sustainability of the Tasmanian racing industry by charging operators for the right to publish Tasmanian race fields information based on a gross revenue model.”
Mr Aird said that the Government would continue to monitor movements in other jurisdictions regarding the most appropriate time to enact this Bill and its subordinate legislation.
Media Release - Tasmanian Government
Little Hoping He's Learned From Past
- Tuesday, 26 February 2008 00:00
Caulfield trainer Colin Little is hoping a decision to keep Hobart Cup placegetter Ista Kareem in Tasmania between runs will pay off in Wednesday's Group Three Launceston Cup. Little learned a lesson last year when he landed the quinella in the Hobart Cup with Blutigeroo and Rubijon and was unable to get either horse to back up in the Launceston Cup.
Little said that 16 days to recover from the Hobart Cup run and a flight back to the mainland was insufficient time for both horses to compete at Launceston.
"I ran first and second at Hobart last year and I brought them home straight away, but I couldn't get them back for Launceston," Little said.
Ista Kareem has been staying at David Brunton's stable at Seven Mile Beach since finishing third to fellow Victorians Offenbach and Jacques Le Naif in the Hobart Cup (2200m) on February 11.
Little expects the extra 200 metres of the Launceston Cup will help Ista Kareem who was third to Exalted Time in the 2006 Adelaide Cup (3200m).
"The further the better for him," Little said. "The extra 200 metres is going to be beneficial.
"They were always going to be a bit nippy for him at Hobart. His goal all along was the Launceston Cup.
Ista Kareem now only has to contend with eight rivals following the withdrawal of local hopes Conquering and Saval Prince.
Six of the nine runners are from Victoria and they head the TAB Sportsbet market for the $300,000 event.
Last-start Caulfield winner Saratime is the $2.90 favourite ahead of Britomart ($3.50), Nine Wives ($4.80), Ista Kareem ($7), Lady Atire ($10) and Jacques Le Naif ($11).
Best of three Tasmanian runners is Lunardi ($15), while 2005 Hobart Cup winner Our Dashing Dane is $16 and Morsonique the outsider at $126.
Danny Brereton rode Ista Kareem when he carried 58.5kg in the Hobart Cup and on Wednesday he rides the gelding with marginal relief as the topweight again with 58kg.
Little said weight had become a problem for Ista Kareem who only once in his last seven starts has carried less than 58kg, and that was when ridden by a claiming apprentice.
"I think he is going well but has paid for his consistency," Little said.
Ista Kareem was earlier prepared by now-retired trainer Jeremy Gask and since joining Little's stable last winter has raced 11 times for wins in a 1600-metre win Bendigo and victories over 2040 metres and 2500 metres at Moonee Valley.
He was also stakes-placed when second to Hillston Exchange in the Listed Winter Championship (1600m) at Sandown in July but his first placing in five runs this campaign was in the Hobart Cup.
"He was slow to get going this campaign but I'm happy with him now," Little said.
Saratime failed at his only try at 2400-metres in last season's Queensland Derby but trainer John Moloney is confident that, now more mature, he is better prepared to handle the distance.
Rick Hore-Lacy is buoyant about the chances of Britomart who he believes should have won her last four starts in Melbourne.
She has posted three wins this year but two starts ago gave Craig Williams a torrid ride for nearly half of a 2500-metre race at Flemington when she fired up in the lead and finished a 2-1/2-length fourth to Saddler's Story on February 2.
"She has got to be a chance," Hore-Lacy said. "She is by Zabeel and she is improving all the time."
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Weight Forces Star Apprentice Out of Saddle
- Monday, 14 July 2008 00:00
The riding career of one of the country's best apprentices appears to be over.
Star Tassie claimer Justin Hamer will take an indefinite break from race riding after Sunday's meeting at Hobart.
The talented rider, who kicked away his career in Victoria before transferring to Tasmania under Charlie Goggin, will end as this season's premier apprentice and almost certainly wind up third on the overall Tassie rider's table.
"Yes I'm finishing up," Hamer told The Virtual FormGuide.
"My weight has been a real battle - I'm walking around now at about 61-62 kilograms and that's without a decent feed."
Hamer said he has noticed his health has been suffering with him struggling to keep his weight under control.
"My kidneys are playing up and I keep getting stomach ulcers."
"Being sick all of the time and trying to ride just doesn't work," he added.
Hamer didn't completely rule out a comeback, but said it was a definite long shot.
"I will go on holidays for a few months and it depends on my weight, I might give it a crack to come back, but I highly doubt it."
"I might even take up an offer to ride work in Singapore for John Meagher, but I haven't come to any final decision."
"But it (Singapore) sounds like it would be a really good experience," Hamer summed up.
Hamer has ridden 50 winners (including two dead heats) in Tasmania this season and is third on both the state and city premierships.
His 38 winner (one dead heat included) haul on metro tracks on the Apple Isle this season has only been bettered by Brendon McCoull and Stephen Maskiell.
He will easily win the apprentices title from the now Sydney based claimer Daniel Ganderton.
According to The Virtual FormGuide's extensive jockey statistics Hamer has ridden in 1053 races for 92 wins, 98 seconds and 94 thirds.
This season alone he has 50 wins from 454 rides.
PIC - Greg Irvine.
Britomart On Target For Launceston Cup
- Sunday, 17 February 2008 00:00
Britomart earned a start in next week's $300,000 Launceston Cup when she outstayed her rivals over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy said he would have to speak with owner Gerry Harvey first, but he felt the Group Three 2400m feature was the right race for the Zabeel mare after she accounted for Nine Wives ($6) and Video Star ($31) in Saturday's FCM Travel Hcp.
"You'd have to go after that wouldn't you," Hore-Lacy said.
"She's an improving stayer and has a lovely nature.
Ridden by Corey Brown, Britomart defied a betting drift to start the $4.60 favourite after opening at $2.80.
Brown brought her out of the pack with a well-timed run to claim the race by three-quarters of a length from Nine Wives.
Craig Williams had ridden the four-year-old at her past two outings but elected to partner Fuji Fantasy ($5) who finished seventh.
"He thought he had the better option. I love it when jockeys do that because they are always wrong," Hore-Lacy said.
Britomart, who is out of the Marscay mare Marshow, has now won five of her 15 starts.
Peter Morgan, trainer of the runner-up Nine Wives, may also target the Launceston Cup.
"If he'd won today I would have gone straight to the Adelaide Cup with him, but he might not get a run now," Morgan said.
"It knocked my socks off drawing the outside barrier.
"I might take him to Launceston now as I'd say he'd get a run there."
The Group Two $400,000 Adelaide Cup (3200m) is run on March 10.
Morgan said Nine Wives would later be prepared for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (3200m) at Flemington, a race the trainer won with Starpro.
Just over a week ago, Morgan claimed his biggest success when Mega Boss won the $200,000 Tasmanian Derby.
Last week's Hobart Cup winner Offenbach has been virtually ruled out of the Launceston race with trainer Darren Weir keen to prepare him for the Adelaide Cup.